IN THE NEWS

TOUR OF THE MONTH

ON THIS DAY IN LONDON

20th March 1968 Arsenal footballer Paul Merson was born in Harlesden, North London.

20th March 1920 1st flight from London to South Africa lands (1 months)

20th March 1906 George B Shaws Captain Brassbound's Conversion, premieres in London

20th March 1727 Issac Newton, English physicist/astronomer, died in London aged 84.

20th March 1616 Walter Raleigh released from Tower of London to seek gold in Guyana

Donnybrook Quarter

One of London's most innovative housing developments.

Location: Parnell Road, Bow, London

Description: Donnybrook Quarter was commissioned by Circle 33 Housing Trust in 2003, and is a model for large scale, high density, low rise urban design.

The scheme is laid out around two new 7.5m wide tree lined streets bordered on each side by two and three storey buildings.

At their intersection, at the heart of the scheme, the two streets broaden out into a square. Balconies and oriel windows overhang the street, terraces and the numerous front doors create a sense of ownership and the opportunity for personalisation (pots, deck chairs,hanging baskets).

It's an unusual, white, mediterranean complex in London - very unusual.